Army mulls giving portion of camp to IPs

By Jemin B. Guillermo

Thursday 2nd of August 2012

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Aug 2 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army is willing to give up portions of the military reservation area in Jamindan, Capiz for peace and development.

The division is more than willing to release portions of the nation’s third largest military camp for the indigenous people (IP) in the area, Third Infantry Division Commanding General Jose Mabanta Jr. said in a press statement.

Mabanta said, “For the sake of peace, we are willing to vacate portions of the military reservation area, subject, however, to the requirements of the law.”

He said that it is important that there must be a talk with the National Commission on the Indigenous People to reach a collective effort to facilitate and resolve the concerns for the IPs in Jamindan and Tapaz towns in Capiz.

Mabanta’s commitment came after National Democratic Front (NDF)-Panay spokesperson Edmund Vencer challenged the Philippine Army to take the first step of returning the “Tumandok” land and implement land reform to achieve real peace.

“While everything is being planned out and finalized, the camp will continue to accomplish its mission of protecting the people against those who attempt to take the peace we treasure today in Panay, with the 3ID as its occupant as mandated under Presidential Proclamation 67,” Mabanta said, adding that the camp will continue to serve its purpose, fighting for what those ahead of us, our forefathers, has fought for, so that we can continue to “win the Peace” in Panay.

During the meeting of members of the Capiz Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Governor Victor Tanco welcomed the plan of the Philippine Army’s Third Infantry Division to distribute portions of the said land within military reservation area to the IPs living in the area.

Tanco said this is a welcome development that could also test the government’s commitment and sincerity to attain peace for the development and progress in the countryside.

He pointed out that to give the council the current status of the undertaking, a representative from the NCIP will be invited during the next PPOC meeting.

President Benigno S. Aquino III said that peace and security shall be achieved in support to national development, where the government shall exert all efforts to win peace and ensure national security.

President Aquino said the peace process shall center on the pursuit of negotiated political settlement of all armed conflicts and the implementation of complementary development tracks to address its causes which shall be anchored on conflict prevention and peace-building in conflict-affected areas. (JCM/JBG-PIA6 Capiz)